The TIGA Games Industry Awards are divided in two groups: the ‘Games Awards’ (1 – 15) which are open to the entire industry, and the ‘Business Of Games Awards’ (16 – 31) which are reserved for TIGA members. There are also two special Awards: Outstanding Individual Of The Year’, which is chosen by TIGA; and ‘Game Of The Year’, which will be chosen by attendees at the awards ceremony.

Games Categories >>

Our games categories are open to all relevant games businesses.

Social Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and engaging social games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Casual Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and engaging casual games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Educational, Serious or Simulation Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • games that are both enjoyable and educational – these can be advergames, charity or educational games, games serious in content with an educational or training purpose or games that are designed to raise awareness;
  • creative, innovative and engaging educational games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Racing Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and exciting racing games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Strategy Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and exciting strategy games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Role Playing Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and exciting role playing games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Puzzle Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and engaging puzzle games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Arcade Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and engaging arcade games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • excellent game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Creativity In Games Awards

The judges will be looking for:

  • creativity and originality in a game;
  • a game that reflects British creativity.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Heritage in Games Award

The judges will be looking for:

  • a game that reflects British creativity, subject matter and heritage.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

VR/AR Game

The judges are looking:

  • to identify an outstanding game within this genre of games development.
  • Creativity, innovation and user experience within  a VR / AR (or MR) game will be key.

Action and Adventure Game

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and exciting action and adventure games;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • great game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category.

Diversity Award

The judges will be looking for:

  • diversity within the characters of the game, i.e. gender, age, socio-economic background, ethnicity, disability, religion;
  • diversity within the development team backed up by company goals to be more inclusive;
  • organisations that promote diversity within the games industry;
  • initiatives or projects that promote diversity within the games industry, or allow a more diverse range of players to be able to take part.

Audio Design

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, high quality audio design in music and in sound effects which enhances the player’s game experience.

Visual Design

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative and imaginative visual design that provides players with an exciting game experience.

Business Categories

Business Categories >>

Our business categories are exclusive to TIGA members, if you’re not a member why not join today?

Game by a Small Studio

The judges will be looking for:

  • creative, innovative and exciting game;
  • strong visual design;
  • great sound design;
  • great game design.

Games that are available on any platform can enter this category. Studios containing 49 or fewer personnel are eligible to enter this award.

Outstanding Leadership Award

The judges will be looking for evidence of a CEO/MD who

  • displays vision and commercial acumen;
  • delivers tangible results;
  • demonstrates business, commercial and creative success;
  • develops the effectiveness of his/her team.

Leaders from developers, publishers, service providers and education providers are eligible to enter this Award.

Publisher

The judges will be looking for evidence of an organisation that:

  • publishes great games/content that is either their own or is owned by another party;

Educational Institution

The judges will be looking for evidence of an educational institution that:

  • delivers high proportions of its students into graduate level jobs;
  • has strong links with industry;
  • has a track record in research and innovation.

Engines, Middleware, Tools and Technology Award

The judges will be looking for evidence of technology (including motion capture) that:

  • enables developers to create high quality games;
  • helps developers work more effectively and efficiently;
  • can be tailored to support development businesses of all sizes.

Small Studio

The judges will be looking for evidence of a small studio (49 or fewer staff) that:

  • develops great games;
  • has a track record of commercial and critical success.

Large Studio

The Judges will be looking for evidence of a large studio (50 or more staff) which:

  • develops great games;
  • has a track record of commercial and critical success.

Legal Services Supplier

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

  • excellent legal work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients.

QA and/or Localisation Provider

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

  • excellent QA and/or localisation work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients;
  • a track record of business success.

Recruitment Agency

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

  • excellent recruitment work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients;
  • a track record of business success.

Tax and Accountancy Firm

The judges will be looking for the company to provide evidence of:

  • excellent tax and accountancy work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients;
  • a track record of business success.

Technical Innovation

The judges will be looking for:

  • evidence of technical innovation in the development of a video game carried out by a UK team (if the game is developed by several studios around the world then it will be necessary to show that the innovation was due to the UK team);
  • technical innovation in engines, middleware, tools and technology by a technology business relating to the video games industry.

Services Provider

The judges will be looking for the service company to provide evidence for:

  • excellent customer service
  • excellent commercial results for clients
  • a track record of business success

All service companies that are TIGA members may enter this category.

Education Initiative and Talent Development

The judges will be looking for evidence of an educational initiative that:

  • delivers high proportions of students into graduate level jobs; or
  • delivers outstanding initiatives to prepare students for work (e.g. student internships, strong links with industry, work on industry projects, etc);
  • advances innovation, knowledge and research; or
  • promotes student studio start-ups; or
  • evidence of a studio initiative that contributes to the future supply of good quality personnel available to work in the games industry (e.g. the team making the game could have engaged with a school or run a hackathon with a university or group in order to promote learning, etc.).

Best Art/Animation/Trailer Supplier

The judges will be looking for:

  • excellent work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients;
  • a track record of business success.

Best Audio Services Supplier 

The judges will be looking for:

  • excellent work;
  • excellent customer service;
  • excellent commercial results for clients;
  • a track record of business success.

Special Awards

Special Awards >>

Employer of the Year 2021

This Award is open to TIGA STAR accredited organisations. The judges will be looking for evidence of best practice in terms of: strategy and leadership; recruitment, selection and training and a commitment to equality and diversity; continuous improvement; and an effective recognition and reward strategy.

Outstanding Individual Award

  • This is non-enterable and will be awarded to a TIGA member who has made an important contribution to the work of TIGA and to the industry.

Game of the Year

  • The winner will be chosen by attendees of the awards ceremony.
  • Further details to follow!